Irish Rail Best Station Awards 2013

Hilly Bill

corktina wrote: »

quite simple. There is ample evidence in this forum alone of attempts to rig the vote, excuse enough to disallow suspect votes.Voting for Broombridge is a total waste of time if you think it will change anything at all

Link?

Hilly Bill

Judgement Day wrote: »

And my obscure point about surveys, raffles, the Kit Kat Ad (below) and Post Office Prize Bonds etc.etc. is that the public are treated like mushrooms - fed on ****e and kept in the dark. Do you know anybody that has every one anything on their Prize Bonds http://www.prizebonds.ie/ ; do you imagine that Nestle are going to take advertising space in the National media to tell us who won their competition - and even if they do, can you believe them anyway? Should be in the conspiracy forum but it does have some resonance here. CIE/IE and their buddies long ago decided on the outcome of this 'competition' and the survey is just window dressing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk2Lfgh1c4Q

Until it can be proved then you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you could get onto them after its over with to publish the passenger votes for all the stations to see how many votes broombridge got.

corktina

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Link?

...read the damn posts yourself...theres an orchestrated campaign to get people to vote for Broombridge, even the dogs in the street know that...so you can be sure CIE know it too.

i'll save you the effort...heres one for you

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056845944

thomasj

I voted for manulla junction, its the best non accessible, platform in the country!

Hilly Bill

corktina wrote: »

...read the damn posts yourself...theres an orchestrated campaign to get people to vote for Broombridge, even the dogs in the street know that...so you can be sure CIE know it too.

i'll save you the effort...heres one for you

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056845944

Calm down,

It doesnt look all that orchestrated to me. I might have mistook what you ment, i thought you ment that Irish rail was rigging the vote.
All votes will be legitimate regardless how many times you vote for a station. Its like phoning up a few times on x factor. How will they know what votes are suspect or not? They wont bother checking people's ip addresses just tocheck if they voted more than once.
The point you seem to miss is that the stations then gets a visit by this mystery shopper type person and no matter how many votes Broombridge gets it wont win.
Irish Rail wouldnt care if there was a campaign for Broombridge or not.

thomasj

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Calm down,

It doesnt look all that orchestrated to me. I might have mistook what you ment, i thought you ment that Irish rail was rigging the vote.
All votes will be legitimate regardless how many times you vote for a station. Its like phoning up a few times on x factor. How will they know what votes are suspect or not? They wont bother checking people's ip addresses just tocheck if they voted more than once.
The point you seem to miss is that the stations then gets a visit by this mystery shopper type person and no matter how many votes Broombridge gets it wont win.
Irish Rail wouldnt care if there was a campaign for Broombridge or not.

But my point is you can't honestly believe (even if the votes aren't vetted before they are accepted, ) that if broombridge gets top marks for staff presentation and helpfulness they'll send a secret shopper out there to check if its true.

Hilly Bill

thomasj wrote: »

But my point is you can't honestly believe (even if the votes aren't vetted before they are accepted, ) that if broombridge gets top marks for staff presentation and helpfulness they'll send a secret shopper out there to check if its true.

Obviously if it gets top marks in anything then they know someone is taking the wotsits but that would still be that persons right to give whatever marks they want.
I understand what you are saying but if its on the list then it will get a visit, even if its just to pull up on the bridge and look down and decide its getting no marks.
The fun would start if the mystery shopper (if their is one JD )was a member of boards and decided to give it full marks just for the craic .

corktina

it obviously wont be, it will be a pre-approved mystery shopper, well briefed as to what is required.

Just so as you know, mystery shoppers get "mystery shopped" too, I know, I've been a Mystery Shopper on occasion, vetting for the likes of Bud Ice, O2 Guinness and a few others..

Hilly Bill

corktina wrote: »

it obviously wont be, it will be a pre-approved mystery shopper, well briefed as to what is required.

Just so as you know, mystery shoppers get "mystery shopped" too, I know, I've been a Mystery Shopper on occasion, vetting for the likes of Bud Ice, O2 Guinness and a few others..

Of course they are pre-approved and briefed but if you were asked would they know that you are Corktina from boards.ie and read your posts to see if you are suitable?
How can they be mystery shopped? Do they get mystery assessed whilst they are mystery shopping and who is mystery assessing the mystery assessor of the mystery shopper?

Grass between the tracks

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Until it can be proved then you have to give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe you could get onto them after its over with to publish the passenger votes for all the stations to see how many votes broombridge got.

I am going to FOI them for the figures. Worth €15 I say.

nbar12

I've heard so much about broombridge train station but I've never been to it. Would you's advise me to check it out in person or on google maps to prevent me from getting mugged?

Hilly Bill

Its safe enough to check it out in person .

The video for The Humpback bridge by Westboyslife was filmed there. check it out on youtube

mojesius

We love you Broombridge, we do.

Grass between the tracks

Another vote for Broombridge.

January

nbar12 wrote: »

I've heard so much about broombridge train station but I've never been to it. Would you's advise me to check it out in person or on google maps to prevent me from getting mugged?

Check it out on Streetview.

schemingbohemia

Grass between the tracks wrote: »

I am going to FOI them for the figures. Worth €15 I say.

Maybe if you understood anything about FOI it would help. CIE/IE are not subject to FOI.

This thread belongs in after hours with the children.

Cookie_Monster

of course the vote will be rigged to bar Broombridge from the top placings, despite huge numbers of vote on here and other forums in recent years it's never made it to the publicised lists.

carlmango11

Looking at the voting form it seems there's some sort of user id parameter. I was thinking they'd use that to ensure everyone has just one vote but it doesn't seem to change even if my ip changes or if I'm on incognito (no cookies) so maybe not.

If they don't resort to IP address checking then a certain program that a certain somebody wrote just voted for Broombridge 100 times with randomised emails and 085 numbers. Or so I hear. :pac: Certain someone even sent me a screenshot

Cookie_Monster

carlmango11 wrote: »

If they don't resort to IP address checking then a certain program that a certain somebody wrote just voted for Broombridge 100 times with randomised emails and 085 numbers. Or so I hear. :pac: Certain someone even sent me a screenshot

haha, awesome :pac:

Hilly Bill

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

of course the vote will be rigged to bar Broombridge from the top placings, despite huge numbers of vote on here and other forums in recent years it's never made it to the publicised lists.

Huge numbers? How do you work that one out? A few saying they voted for Broombridge here doesnt give it huge numbers.

Hilly Bill

carlmango11 wrote: »

Looking at the voting form it seems there's some sort of user id parameter. I was thinking they'd use that to ensure everyone has just one vote but it doesn't seem to change even if my ip changes or if I'm on incognito (no cookies) so maybe not.

If they don't resort to IP address checking then a certain program that a certain somebody wrote just voted for Broombridge 100 times with randomised emails and 085 numbers. Or so I hear. :pac: Certain someone even sent me a screenshot

You can only vote once with the same IP address. I tried to vote again but it just told me that ive already voted in the same way as the polls on here.

carlmango11

Hilly Bill wrote: »

You can only vote once with the same IP address. I tried to vote again but it just told me that ive already voted in the same way as the polls on here.

That's a cookie not an IP address check. If you delete the cookie, use a different browser or go incognito in Chrome it will let you vote again. All that means though is that you can submit as many votes as you want. For all we know they could be logging the IP of each vote and disregarding duplicates. No way to know though.

Cookie_Monster

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Huge numbers? How do you work that one out? A few saying they voted for Broombridge here doesnt give it huge numbers.

In previpus years there were no such limits and iirc over 1300 vote were cast by posters here for it alone

foggy_lad

Hilly Bill wrote: »

You wouldnt be far wrong but not quite as extreme as you put it but all stations should be up to the best standard possible anyway without being told to up the game incase they get a visit. The visit of the daily passenger should be the prime importance rather than the potential visit of a mystery passenger.

So all stations should have their accessible toilets unlocked and all wheelchair entrances opened to the public? This is not the case in Carlow Heuston and several other stations around the country!

Hilly Bill

foggy_lad wrote: »

So all stations should have their accessible toilets unlocked and all wheelchair entrances opened to the public? This is not the case in Carlow Heuston and several other stations around the country!

I'd say a key available on request or opened on request for the toilet when the station is manned. Are wheelchairs able to go through the booking office and if locked a gate left opened?

Hilly Bill

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

In previpus years there were no such limits and iirc over 1300 vote were cast by posters here for it alone

That doesnt mean that it came top or even close to it. You need to find out the figures for the other stations before giving out about it.

foggy_lad

Hilly Bill wrote: »

I'd say a key available on request or opened on request for the toilet when the station is manned. Are wheelchairs able to go through the booking office and if locked a gate left opened?

There is a wheelchair accessible door but it is kept locked at all times, it is the only way wheelchair users can get into the toilets and waiting room and booking office.

Staff are not always sitting in the booking office to watch out for wheelchair users rolling up to the step outside and shouting in to look for the door to be unlocked and people should not have to ask for a toilet to be unlocked just because they are wheelchair bound! able bodied people do not have to jump through the hoops that the disabled are expected to go through by Irish rail.

Wheelchair users are inconvenienced greatly by Irish Rails accessibility policies!

Hilly Bill

foggy_lad wrote: »

There is a wheelchair accessible door but it is kept locked at all times, it is the only way into the toilets and waiting room and booking office.

Staff are not always sitting in the booking office to watch out for wheelchair users rolling up to the step to ask for the door to be unlocked and people should not have to ask for a toilet to be unlocked just because they are wheelchair bound! able bodied people do not have to jump through the hoops that the disabled are expected to go through by Irish rail.

Wheelchair users are inconvenienced greatly by Irish Rails accessibility policies!

They are locked to stop them being abused ( the toilets Foggy not the wheelchair users ) .
I dont think any disabled people are jumping through hoops now Foggy do you.
I dont know Carlow station but i find it strange that anyone in a wheelchair cant make their way into the booking office via a ramp or a lift or onto the platform if the booking office is closed.

foggy_lad

Hilly Bill wrote: »

They are locked to stop them being abused ( the toilets Foggy not the wheelchair users ) .
I dont think any disabled people are jumping through hoops now Foggy do you.
I dont know Carlow station but i find it strange that anyone in a wheelchair cant make their way into the booking office via a ramp or a lift or onto the platform if the booking office is closed.

The only way into the booking office without having to negotiate steps is the locked door! It is not that strange at all and if they are worried about wheelchair cubicles being abused they should close up all the cubicles as the general ones are probably at much greater risk of abuse by the types that would cause damage.

As for jumping through hoops, a wheelchair user must enter through the gates going past the locked door and go around along the platform 1 to the booking office door. if the station is busy they wont be seen by staff as the booking office is tiny and with a few people in a que staff would not see you in a wheelchair outside. when they eventually gain the attention of staff they must go back out to the gate and wait for the door to be opened from the inside before they can access the toilets or waiting room or booking office! Thousands was spent on doing up this station a few years ago to make it wheelchair accessible only for it to now be off limits to wheelchairs!

The able-bodied can easily access the waiting room while those in a wheelchair are left out in the wind and rain on platform 1!

Grass between the tracks

Forget about it if you want to use platform 2.

Hilly Bill

foggy_lad wrote: »

The only way into the booking office without having to negotiate steps is the locked door! It is not that strange at all and if they are worried about wheelchair cubicles being abused they should close up all the cubicles as the general ones are probably at much greater risk of abuse by the types that would cause damage.

As for jumping through hoops, a wheelchair user must enter through the gates going past the locked door and go around along the platform 1 to the booking office door. if the station is busy they wont be seen by staff as the booking office is tiny and with a few people in a que staff would not see you in a wheelchair outside. when they eventually gain the attention of staff they must go back out to the gate and wait for the door to be opened from the inside before they can access the toilets or waiting room or booking office! Thousands was spent on doing up this station a few years ago to make it wheelchair accessible only for it to now be off limits to wheelchairs!

The able-bodied can easily access the waiting room while those in a wheelchair are left out in the wind and rain on platform 1!

Get on to Irish Rail about it .

foggy_lad

Grass between the tracks wrote: »

Forget about it if you want to use platform 2.

Considering the Barrow Crossing can't be used because of health and safety rubbish, although it regularly is used by the great staff accompanied by elderly passengers:D

Anyone in a wheelchair must give a few days notice and their train is diverted onto platform one and if that is not possible they are de-trained at Athy or Mhuine Beag and taxied home!

foggy_lad

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Get on to Irish Rail about it .

What's the point? Thay are well aware of the situation!

Grass between the tracks

foggy_lad wrote: »

Considering the Barrow Crossing can't be used because of health and safety rubbish, although it regularly is used by the great staff accompanied by elderly passengers:D

Anyone in a wheelchair must give a few days notice and their train is diverted onto platform one and if that is not possible they are de-trained at Athy or Mhuine Beag and taxied home!

That is madness.

sligotrain

foggy_lad wrote: »

What's the point? Thay are well aware of the situation!

Get onto them again and again if they don't respond and follow it up with the Ombudsman if necessary. No point in raising it here if you actually want something done about it.

Hilly Bill

foggy_lad wrote: »

What's the point? Thay are well aware of the situation!

The point is that you get to air your concerns and there is more point in telling them that you have an issue with it than us on here.
Fill out a feedback form outlining your concerns asking for an answer back via phone, e-mail, post etc.
Post it on their facebook page, twitter.
Ring Joe Duffy.
Contact the media,
You TD.
Ask the Wheelchair association of Ireland as to what they have done about it.

I take it it doesnt get your vote for the best station then?

sligotrain

Obviously it's a great laugh to vote for Broombridge but IE are well aware of the various online campaigns to vote for it.

The real issue is not IE's perceived lack of care and maintenance but the skangers who take it upon themselves to destroy any equipment installed there.

The real answer will ultimately be to have the station manned and secured. With the development of the LUAS interchange there may be an opportunity to develop the area and reduce the current state of isolation that encourages the high levels of destruction at Broombridge.

foggy_lad

Hilly Bill wrote: »

The point is that you get to air your concerns and there is more point in telling them that you have an issue with it than us on here.
Fill out a feedback form outlining your concerns asking for an answer back via phone, e-mail, post etc.
Post it on their facebook page, twitter.
Ring Joe Duffy.
Contact the media,
You TD.
Ask the Wheelchair association of Ireland as to what they have done about it.

I take it it doesnt get your vote for the best station then?

Apart from that issue the station is always tidy and well kept and the staff the same so they got my vote:)

Hilly Bill

foggy_lad wrote: »

Considering the Barrow Crossing can't be used because of health and safety rubbish, although it regularly is used by the great staff accompanied by elderly passengers:D

Anyone in a wheelchair must give a few days notice and their train is diverted onto platform one and if that is not possible they are de-trained at Athy or Mhuine Beag and taxied home!

Few days notice? who told you that one Foggy?
health and safety rubbish? Whats rubbish about health and safety?

Hilly Bill

foggy_lad wrote: »

Apart from that issue the station is always tidy and well kept and the staff the same so they got my vote:)

So the disabled access is less of an issue than the upkeep of the station then?

sitstill

I just voted for my favourite station, Broombridge!

foggy_lad

Hilly Bill wrote: »

Few days notice? who told you that one Foggy?
health and safety rubbish? Whats rubbish about health and safety?

They look for as much notice as possible, the figure quoted to some people I know who contacted Irish Rail was 48 hours, but on asking at the station they were given the station number and asked to ring on the evening before they wanted to travel or a few hours before their train time and all arrangements would be made for them.

Health & Safety is very important but where it prevents use of facilities such as pedestrian railway crossings and barrow crossings which are in sight of a manned station is ridiculous!

foggy_lad

Hilly Bill wrote: »

So the disabled access is less of an issue than the upkeep of the station then?

less of an issue to me as I am not confined to a wheelchair, I voted for myself not for wheelchair users.

sligotrain

sitstill wrote: »

I just voted for my favourite station, Broombridge!

Yes, hilarious. Now why not do something positive about it and write to your TD and Varadkar?

carlmango11

sitstill wrote: »

I just voted for my favourite station, Broombridge!

I've voted for Broombridge 7,000 times! :pac:

Hilly Bill

foggy_lad wrote: »

They look for as much notice as possible, the figure quoted to some people I know who contacted Irish Rail was 48 hours, but on asking at the station they were given the station number and asked to ring on the evening before they wanted to travel or a few hours before their train time and all arrangements would be made for them.

Health & Safety is very important but where it prevents use of facilities such as pedestrian railway crossings and barrow crossings which are in sight of a manned station is ridiculous!

You would be back on here like a shot if you was pushing a wheelchair across the tracks and a train ploughed it out of your hands and left you there with just the handles in your hand .

Cookie_Monster

Hilly Bill wrote: »

So the disabled access is less of an issue than the upkeep of the station then?

if you're not disabled then presumably it would be.

mickydoomsux

So let me get this straight.

Foggy comes on here complaining wheelchair access in Carlow (on numerous occasions) , he doesn't bother to actually make an official complaint to IE or do anything other than whinge about it here and then he turns around and votes for Carlow as his favourite station because stuff like wheelchair access doesn't actually matter to him anyway.

This would be considered trolling in any properly moderated forum.

LoonyLovegood

Voted for Broombridge, it's a disgrace of a station, but it's my local one at home. The stares you get in Connolly when you're trying to pay for a ticket from there are ridiculous though.

The only reason it's in such a state is IE neglect. The level of anti-social behaviour in the area has gone down, and it now centres around the station, because the station is so neglected.

Hilly Bill

you need to look closer to home as to why that station is the way it is instead of blaming irish rail. stares? That sounds like a touch of paranoia.